Book holder

ABSTRACT

A book holder formed of intersecting support members having upper surfaces for supporting one or a plurality of books in opened upright position for reading. The modifications include extensions for receiving a larger book and a pivot table on which the book holder rests.

United States Patent {72] Inventor Hobart M. Hind 122 Court Ave., Albany, Ga. 31701 [21] Appl No. 733,025

[22] Filed May 29, 1968 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [54] BOOK HOLDER 5 Claims, Drawing'Fi'gs.

[52] US. Cl 248/448, 248/458, 248/460 [51] Int. Cl A47b 19/00 [50] Field of Search 248/441,

, [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,399,507 12/1921 Mills.., 7 248/459 1,684,925 9/1928 Perlmutter, 248/346 1,925,649 9/1933 Anderson i 248/460 1,934,846 11/1933 Ebert 248/174 X 2,648,931 8/1953 Deveau 248/460 3,123,934 3/1964 Loyd 248/458 X 3,282,437 1 1/1966 Hansen Primary Examiner-Edward C.'Al1en Attorney-Newton, Hopkins and Ormsby ABSTRACT: A book holder formed of intersecting support members having upper surfaces for supporting one or a plurality of books in opened upright position for reading. The modifications include extensions for receiving a larger book and a pivot table on which the book holder rests.

PATENTED JUL 20 mm SHEET 3g; 3 3593.955

I NVENTOR. Ham/2r M ////vp BOOK HOLDER This invention relates to a book holder and is more particu larly concerned with a multipiece disassemblable book holder.

In the past, book holders have usually been relatively expensive, heavy and complicated, being formed of wood or metal. Thus, none of these book holders was suitable as a giveaway item for book companies and the like.

The present invention which obviates the difficulties described above includes a pair of chipboard or hardboard crisscrossed support members provided at their upper ends with a transverse cross plate. In one embodiment of the invention, a book holder is shown as supporting a single book. In another embodiment of the invention, the structure is for supporting a pair of books in diametrically opposed relationship. In a third embodiment of the invention, the support members are wood or metal and there are slidable dovetailed extensions on ends of the support members for adapting the book holders to receive larger books and in still another embodiment of the invention there is a turntable or lazy susan" for supporting the book holder, so that the book holder may be readily rotated about a vertical axis to present the book in any direction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a book holder which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable in structure, and efficient in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a book holder which may be readily assembled and disassembled, as desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a book holder which is so constructed that advertising material may be readily printed thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a book holder which can be readily disassembled into flat pieces for easy shipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable book holder on which various size books may be received.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a book holder which will support a plurality of books at the same time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a book holder which may readily and easily present the book at any position around a vertical axis.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a book holder constructed in accordance with the present invention, the broken lines showing a book being supported therein:

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the book holder disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the support members of the book holder illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the book holder of the present invention showing a book holder which is adapted to support a pair of books in diametrically opposed relationship;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the book holder illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of one of the support mem- Referring now in detail to the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that in its broader aspects, the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, it will be seen that in each embodiment there are two intersecting support members which have upright central shank portions and forwardly and rearwardly protruding base portions, the forward base portions diverging from the intersection and in upper surfaces and upstanding stops against which the lower edges of a book rests. Each embodiment also includes a transverse abut ment plate which serves the double function of aiding in locking the two crisscrossed support members together and in providing a support or base against which the upper back of a book may rest.

FIRST EMBODIMENT Referring specifically to the first embodiment, seen in FIGS. 1,2 and 3, the book holder includes, as pointed out above, two intersecting support members 10 and II, and an abutment plate 40.

The support members 10 and II. are flat members out or stamped from a variety of rigid sheet material, such as chipboard, hardboard, plastic or, if desired, metal.

The support member 10, as seen in FIG. 3, includes an up standing upwardly and rearwardly inclined shank portion 14 and a transversely extending lower or base portion 15. In more detail, the base portion 15 is defined by a straight flat lower edge or base interrupted by the mouth 16a of a downwardly opening slot 16 which thereby separates the base into a forward base 17a-and a rear base 17b.

The forward end of base I7acurves forwardly and upwardly in an arcuate path and thence rearwardly and downwardly to provide arcuate front edge 18 which defines stop 20.

The upper end of front edge 18 terminates at approximately a right angular junction or notch 21 with the forward upper surface 22 of the base portion 15. The upper surface 22 extends rearwardly from notch 21 approximately parallel to base 17a and then swings upwardly, merging with a curvalinear rearwardly and upwardly extending intermediate edge 23. The edge 23, in turn, merges with the forward edge 24 of the shank portion 14.

intersecting the rear end of base 17a, is a convex rear upper edge 25 which curves upwardly and forwardly and merges with rear upper surface 26 of base portion 27. Surface 26 projects forwardly and then curves upwardly'to merge into the rear edge 27 of shank portion 14.

It is thus seen that the front and rear edges 24 and 27 taper upwardly from body portion 15 and then project inwardly toward each other to define aligned edges 28 and 29 which are separated by an upwardly projecting finger 30.

The downwardly opening slot 15 is inclined rearwardly from the perpendicular so as to intersect the forward base 17a at an obtuse angle and to intersect base 17b at an acute angle. Since the shank portion 14 is also inclined rearwardly, the slot 16 projects along the axis of shank portion 24 and terminates in the central portion of member 10.

The support member 11 is identical to support member 10, except that it has a slot 116 which projects from the central part of shank portion 114 upwardly along the axis of shank portion 114 and terminating in an open mouth 116a. Thus, the slot 116 bisects both shank portion I14 and finger I30 of support member 11.

Since the slot 116 of support member 11 does not project into the base portion 115 of support member 11, the base portion 115 has an uninterrupted straight base 1 17 along its lower edge.

The two support members 10 and Ill fit together by inserting slots 16 and 116 together until the inner end 16b of slot 16 abuts the inner end 116!) of slot 116 and bases 17a, 17b, and 117 are disposed in a transverse common plane. Since slots 16 and 116 are respectively approximately the same widths as the thickness of the respective members so and II, the members 10 and 11 fit snugly together and intersect approximately perpendicular to each other with the upper surfaces 22, 122 diverging from the intersection forwardly and being approximately parallel to each other in a common transverse plane above the bases.

The abutment plate 40 is a flat rectangular member formed from the same material as the members 10 and 11. It has an X- shaped aperture 41 in the central portion thereof. The two slots forming the aperture 41 are perpendicular to each other and the length of each is approximately equal to the width of its associated upstanding finger 30 or 130.

To complete the first embodiment, the plate 40 is placed over the intersecting fingers 30 and 130 and urges downwardly until it abuts the shoulders 28, 128 and 129. In such a condition, since the shoulders 28, 29, 128 and 129 are perpendicular to the main axis of the book holder, i.e., the axis passing through slots 16, 116, the plater40 is also perpendicular thereto. Theplate 40 is snugly received on fingers 30, 130 and thereby prevents appreciable shifting of one member 10 or 11 with respect to the other member 10 or 11.

When a book B is installed in an opened condition, on the book holder, the forward straight edge 42 of the plate 40, which projects beyond the edges 24, 124 of the members 10 and 11, receives the back of the book B as the upper surfaces 22, 122 of the members 10 and 11 receive the bottom edges of the book B. The stops 20, 120 which stand above the upper surfaces 22, 122, prevent any appreciable forward movement of the lower edges of the book B. Therefore, the book B, while being readily removable from the book holder, nevertheless is quite firmly retained in place when it is placed on the book holder, as shown in FIG. 1. Of course, the three elements, 10, 11 and 40 are readily disassembled so that they may be shipped flat. The fiat surfaces are suitable for advertising or may be appropriately cut to provide templates (not shown).

I SECOND EMBODIMENT The second embodiment, seen in FIGS, 4, 5 and 6, is substantially identical to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, except that themajor axis of the book holder is essentially perpendicular and, IhCfCfOltLlhe book holder is adapted to receive a plurality, i."e., two diametrically opposed, books, simultaneously. In more detail, the book holder of the second embodiment includes a pair of crisscrossed or intersecting supporting members 210 and 211, the support member 210 being provided with a downwardly opening vertically disposed slot 216 which bisects the base into base edges 217a and 217b.

For cooperating with the slot 216, the support member 211 is provided with an upwardly opening slot 216a. As in the preceding embodiment, the two support members 210 and 211 are identical to each other, with the exception of the respective slots 216, 2160. Each includes a shank portion 214 having upwardly tapered side edges 224, the lower end portions which gradually curve outwardly to terminate in opposed outwardly projecting horizontal upper edges or surfaces 222. The upper surfaces 222, in turn, intersect the arcuate edges 218 of the upstanding stops 220 for defining notches 221.

When the members 210, 211 are assembled, the upper edges 222 are in a common horizontal plane approximately parallel to the base of the support members 210,211.

The abutment plate 240 is identical to the abutment plate 40'of the preceding embodiment, including a central aperture 241 which is received on the fingers 230. The edges 242a and 24212 as well as the edges 242c and 242d, form abutments against which diametrically opposed books (not shown) may rest. A pair of books may be supported at any two opposed quadrants of the book holder shown in FIGS. 46.

THIRD EMBODIMENT The third embodimentis seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 and is substantially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, i.e., the first embodiment, except for the adjustable extensions 300 of I, the base portion of each support member 310, 311. Hence,

the support members 310 and 311 are not described in detail, nor is the function or structure of the abutment plate 340, it being sufficient to note that the plate 340 and the shank portions314 of the support members 310 and 311 are identical to the plate 40 and the shank portions 24, 124 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the base portion 315 of each support member is identical to the shank portion 15, of the first embodiment, except for the diverging front parts thereof, which will be described hereinafter.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the front parts of the base portions 315 are provided with upper edges or surfaces 322 and vertical front ends 318. Also, each base portion 315 is provided with horizontal base 317.

Extending inwardly from the front edge 318 of each base portion 315 is a dovetailed slot 335 which is disposed approximately parallel and above base 317. The dovetailed slot 335 receives a bifurcated dovetailed member 336, of extension 300. The outer portion of the extension 300 is provided with an upstanding stop 320 which is identical to the stops 20 and of the first embodiment. Each support member 310 and 311 is provided with a setscrew 338 which projects through a hole 339 in the dovetailed slot portion 335 of each base portion 315. Each bolt 338 is provided with a wingnut 343 and projects through the inwardly opening slot 337 of the bifurcated member 336 so as to lock the bifurcated member 336 in place. By loosening nut 343, the extension 300 may be telescoped inwardly or outwardly. Therefore, each stop 320 may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly on each of the support members 310 and 311, as desired for supporting smaller or larger books.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, a book holder denoted generally by numeral 410, is supported on a turntable 411. The book holder 416 is identical to the book holder of the second embodiment, i.e., the book holder shown in FIGS. 46. Its lower bases or edges 417 are received in slots in the flat circular upper plate or rotatable table portion 412 of the turntable 411. The slots, of course, must intersect at 90 degrees so as to be appropriate for receiving the support members ofthe book holder 410.

The upper plate 412 of the turntable 411 is a flat member having a lower circular race 420 which receives the ball bearings, such as ball bearing 421 therein. The lower plate 422 of the turntable 411 forms a stationary base and is provided with an upper circular race 423 which is complimentary to the race 420 and is disposed in opposition thereto so as to receive and support the ball bearings 421. Therefore, the book holder 410 is free to rotate about its vertical axis, being carried on the rotatable table portion or plate 412.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations maybe made in the embodiments here chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A book holder for supporting a book in an opened position comprising, a pair of flat separable support members intersecting throughout a substantial portion of their heights along an axis extending in substantially an upright direction, said support members being generally symmetrical with respect to each other and having base portions which diverge forwardly and rearwardly from the intersection of said support members, one of said support members having an upwardly opening slot at said intersection for receiving therein an upper portion of the other of said support members and theother of said support members having a downwardly opening slot at said intersection for receiving therein a lower portion of said one of said support members, said members being provided at their forward most portions with stops having front edges extending upwardly and thence rearwardly and downwardly in arcuate paths, said members also having upper book supporting surfaces below the upper most extremity of said stops and 7 extending rearwardly from the lower ends of the downwardly book holder may rest for a sufficient distance to provide supports for receiving the lower edge portions of said opened book, the upper ends of said members terminating in substantially the same plane and having, at their upper ends portions, forward edges which are disposed adjacent but spaced from and about parallel to said intersection, said forward edges merging with said book supporting surfaces and a removable abutment plate having one X-shaped slot received transversely of said axis on the upper end portion of said support members, the upper end portions of said support members projecting through said stop, the forward portion of said plate projecting beyond the forward edges of said members for supporting these against the back of the book.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 including a turntable supporting said support members.

3. The structure defined in claim I wherein said upright axis is inclined upwardly and rearwardly with respect to said upper surfaces.

4. The structure defined in claim 11 wherein said upright axis is vertical and each of said support members is each provided with additional upper surfaces which extend in an opposite direction from its other upper surface for supporting an additional book by its lower edges on such additional upper surfaces.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 including slidable extensions telescoped laterally into the ends of said base portions, and means for locking each said extensions in prescribed positrons. 

1. A book holder for supporting a book in an opened position comprising, a pair of flat separable support members intersecting throughout a substantial portion of their heights along an axis extending in substantially an upright direction, said support members being generally symmetrical with respect to each other and having base portions which dIverge forwardly and rearwardly from the intersection of said support members, one of said support members having an upwardly opening slot at said intersection for receiving therein an upper portion of the other of said support members and the other of said support members having a downwardly opening slot at said intersection for receiving therein a lower portion of said one of said support members, said members being provided at their forward most portions with stops having front edges extending upwardly and thence rearwardly and downwardly in arcuate paths, said members also having upper book supporting surfaces below the upper most extremity of said stops and extending rearwardly from the lower ends of the downwardly extending arcuate portions of the edges of said stops in a direction approximately parallel to the surface of which the book holder may rest for a sufficient distance to provide supports for receiving the lower edge portions of said opened book, the upper ends of said members terminating in substantially the same plane and having, at their upper ends portions, forward edges which are disposed adjacent but spaced from and about parallel to said intersection, said forward edges merging with said book supporting surfaces and a removable abutment plate having one X-shaped slot received transversely of said axis on the upper end portion of said support members, the upper end portions of said support members projecting through said stop, the forward portion of said plate projecting beyond the forward edges of said members for supporting these against the back of the book.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1 including a turntable supporting said support members.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said upright axis is inclined upwardly and rearwardly with respect to said upper surfaces.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said upright axis is vertical and each of said support members is each provided with additional upper surfaces which extend in an opposite direction from its other upper surface for supporting an additional book by its lower edges on such additional upper surfaces.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1 including slidable extensions telescoped laterally into the ends of said base portions, and means for locking each said extensions in prescribed positions. 